I agree with Sandy, going 80/10/10 would probably help. I used to be very addicted to chocolate before going raw, but with my high fruit intake now, I don't have any cravings for sweets. In my transition period I would sometimes make a huge cacao smoothie (bananas, spinach, raw cacao powder, water, very yummy and filling) and it meant I did not feel like any normal chocolate because this was so good. You could try for a couple of weeks only allowing yourself raw cacao smoothies if you crave chocolate, and then once you are on high fruit and greens in your diet, cut out the cacao. I just don't buy it now, and don't feel tempted to. It used to mess up my brain too. I would get completely hyper after a smoothie, and couldn't sleep at night if I had it late in the day.

Thought you mothers or pregnant ladies might find this encouraging! Something to spread to any SAD diet mothers to be. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7481026.stm

Hey there,
I would love to join the next one! How long would you say one 'boot camp' runs for, and when can we join the next one?
Lou

Hi people,

I have been wanting to test my blood's acid/alkaline balance for a while, and I have had a acid/alkaline test lying around for ages. Last week I finally took it. The procedure was test you urine and spit three times a day for 2 days, fill in results on a special form, then make some calculations which put more emphasis on the morning urine results than the rest...

On the first day my urine tested 8.5 twice, and then 7.25 later in the day. The next day 8 twice and then 7.5. When doing the calculations the instructions said that if my urine was over 8.0 it was a false positive reading, in this case my urine was so acidic that my kidneys had started producing ammonia to buffer the acids. It told me to count these results as a reading of 4.5!

To me this seems like complete rubbish. I have been vegan for years, and raw for 6 months, meaning no acid forming foods at all such as meat, dairy and grains. When I did the total calculations (without counting the results as false positive) my grand total for blood acidity was 7.69. They say anything above 7.25 is too alkaline.

So is this test just made in such a way that they do not believe anyone can naturally have urine above 8, and is there in reality such a thing as being too alkaline? If so what are the consequences?

warmth
Lou

Talking about superfoods etc. I love raw cacao powder, but every time I have made a smoothie or chocolate mousse with it (especially in the evening) I go kind of nuts. Feel pretty weird, super energetic but in an uncomfortable way, and can't sleep. A bit like being on some kind of drug, I guess. I know it has some caffeine in it, but could it also just be that my body doesn't tolerate it?

Wan't to try out some of those super chia seeds for sure!!!

Thanks for that you two. Guess I can go to Norton St Grocer, try one out, and then order from Luke if I get hooked!

Hello people,

I read a lot of raw recipes calling for young coconut meat. I'm keen to try out some of them, but never see the fruit anywhere. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places... Anyone have good ideas where to find these (Sydney area and preferably organic), or are they out of season?

Thanks!

I adore the 5T. They are so good in the morning because I usually don't feel I have enough time for a real workout/run and it can be easy to find excuses that time of day to skip the exercise. I do a few sun-greetings before and a few extra stretches after, and all together it is only about 15-20 mins. So that leaves me with no excuses!!!

I think it is important to be hydrated, so I drink a couple of glasses of water when rising, then wait a little before doing the 5T, and I don't eat anything beforehand. Jen, that might help things too. Keep building it up slowly, and before you know it you will be spinning 21 times, and ready for more! (i think my downstairs neighbours sometimes wonder what's going on up there... )

OMG! I made the yummiest ice cream this afternoon. Frozen banana and passion fruit. On a super hot day like today it was just divine!

Leave banana to thaw a little then blend with one small passion fruit for each frozen banana.

Deliciously fresh 

Hi Catwomyn,

I've been raw for a little more than 2 months now, and it has definitely been an up and down trip, but overall very positive. For me 100% raw is easier than for example 80%, meaning cooked is completely out so no conversation in my head between the raw and the cooked side.
I remember after about 3 weeks of raw I was feeling absolutely terrible! I have had quite a few times where I felt very dizzy getting up, but that has passed now. Also a few weeks ago my teeth were super sensitive, but that also seems to be getting better. I found that in the beginning I did eat quite a lot of nuts, tahini, oil, dried fruit etc., but have discovered that I do much better if I leave them out entirely. And now I have no cravings for those things at all. Maybe at a later stage I can handle them again, but right now my body is saying no. I still have days where I feel low on energy, but there are also many days or half days where I feel great! So hang in there! Right now I think my problem is overeating, like having a whole liter of green smoothie a bit too fast. So perhaps that is also something to look out for.

You are doing great! Let us know how it goes...

Lou

Passionfruit is in season.... Crunchy & slightly tangy!

2 passionfruits
2 magnoes
1 banana
greens (don't know the name of the ones I used)
water

Beckyji and Erthmum, book sounds great! Did you manage to buy it in Oz, and if so where?

Ok, a little off topic, but I was curious, so here are the stories:

Wiki says he died peacefully in his sleep:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_W._Walker

Here they claim he was 118, and died peacefully in his bed:
http://www.carnatic.com/karmasaya/index.php?Norman%20Walker

But here they prove that he really did die at 99, but doesn't specify how:
http://chetday.com/normanwalker.htm

So I guess I am really none the wiser!

This one is going down a treat! 

3 big nectarines or peaches (or 4 smaller ones)
2 oranges
bunch of baby spinach

Blend with a bit of water

Great info everyone! Never realised what fun weeds can be! Paul be sure to let us know when the book comes out. Sounds great! Maybe we could even arrange a little field trip using the book where we learn to identify weeds and then make some yummy smoothies with them. Like a school outing

I'm quite keen on learning more about edible bush plants too. Does anyone know of organised field trips with that specific purpose?

Happy Australia day,
Lou